It’s difficult to show as much appreciation for the joy family-music entertainers as I feel. It’s even more daunting to select just 10 of the best. But I’m confident that parents cannot go wrong with acquiring this list of fantastic recordings, which represents the finest albums I had a chance to sample. Congrats to the winners and a tip of my hat to the numerous other excellents albums released during the time period of November 1, 2008, to October 31, 2009. (Click on the album titles for full reviews where applicable.)

1. Milkshake - Great Day - The hearts, minds, and talents of this group were in the right place. So is their ranking on this list.

2. Billy Jonas - Happy Accidents - Waiting such a long time after What Kind of Cat Are You? could have been a diaster. It wasn’t.

3. The Sippy Cups - The Time Machine - Clever themes and fine musicianship make for a great time for all.

4. Peter Himmelman - My Trampoline - This guy’s the Pixar of music. A hit every time out.

5. They Might Be Giants - Here Comes Science - They’re making edu-tainment cool again.

6. Recess Monkey - Field Trip - They may have the deepest well of zany creativity of any trio out there.

7. Ziggy Marley - Family Time - Can I take some credit for this album after sharing a Piano Play classroom with Ziggy and his kid?

8. Lunch Money - Dizzy - One of my favorite surpises of the year.

9. Captain Bogg & Salty - Emphatical Piratical - How do they keep making the priate theme so fresh and well seasoned?

10. Buck Howdy - Pete Seeger Tribute - It sounds like Buck is singing these timeless tunes just to your kid.

This year’s bumper crop of albums includes quite a few others that deserve honorable mention, such as Dog on Fleas (Beautiful World), Rocknoceros (Pink!), Robbert Bobbert (Bubble Machine), Cathy & Marcy (Banjo to Beatbox), Los Lobos  (Los Lobos Goes Disney), Debbie Derryberry (Debbie Derryberry’s Baby Banana), Dave Kinnoin (Teaspoon at a Time), Mary Kaye (Music Box), Eric Herman (What a Ride), Putumayo’s Picnic Playground.

If you’re looking to purchase any of these albums, I highly recommend the PokeyPup.com.